Cottonwood Creek Trail

Cottonwood Creek Trail is a 2.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boise, Idaho and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

DISTANCE

2.5 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

196 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Loop

dog friendly

birding

hiking

nature trips

trail running

walking

muddy

Not a bad trail but probably best used as a jumping off point for trails that wind deeper into the Boise hills. Easy climb up before users follow a staircase down into the creek bottom. My first visit was in unseasonably warm weather in early February. Not a great time for wildlife but the trail was very scenic, wooded, and gently turned to scrub and long grass along the creek plain. According to the City of Boise, Ridge to Rivers website (Check for Boise hills trail conditions and news), the trail was closed a week prior to prevent erosion during a very wet spell so mine was a lucky run, with which I was able to connect to the Ridge Crest Trail and wind deeper into the trail system. This trail was well used by runners. Although the creek was small, I can see it being a welcome reprieve from the hot ridges in summer. Once again, nice trail to connect from the parking area to other trails in the system.